The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed charges against 119 individuals, including minors, arrested during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests in August.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu struck down the case after M.D. Abubakar, representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, moved to discontinue the legal proceedings against the demonstrators.
During the session held on Tuesday, Abubakar requested that the court permit the Attorney-General to formally assume control of the case, leading to its dismissal. This development follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive on Monday, instructing the release of all minors held in relation to the protests.
Earlier, on Friday, Justice Egwuatu had granted bail of N10 million each to 114 individuals who were initially charged for their participation in the demonstrations. Each defendant was required to secure two sureties for the same amount. The protesters, divided into groups of 76 and 43, were accused in two separate suits of treason and related felonies, allegedly attempting to destabilize the government.
However, out of the total number charged, only 72 and 42 were formally arraigned, with five individuals omitted due to health issues. Court documents reveal that the accused individuals, detained in Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna, included 32 minors aged 14 to 17.
The protesters were charged with conspiring to commit treason, according to a suit filed on September 25 (FHC/ABJ/CS/503/2024). The charges allege that the demonstrators, led by legal counsel Simon Lough, conspired to “destabilize Nigeria” in coordination with Andrew Martin Wynne, a British national wanted by the authorities. Authorities claimed that protestors incited public unrest through riots and confrontations with law enforcement.
Additionally, they were accused of colluding to “wage war” against the state by allegedly attacking police personnel, damaging government facilities, and burning buildings across multiple states, including police stations, a high court complex, and various state offices in Kano and Kaduna.
